Local Area

Topping Trip Advisor's list of "Best U.S. Beaches" in its 2013 Travelers' Choice awards, Kaanapali Beach has all the ingredients to make it a perennial favorite. The sundrenched three-mile stretch of West Mauisand is legendary for its mellow water that'sswimmable year round, colorful sunsets with Lanai and Molokai as a backdrop, and shoreline whale watching from November through April.

As Hawaii's first "neighbor island" master-planned destination, Kaanapali Beach Resort covers all the bases with two championship golf courses and Whalers Village that's home to a whaling museum, Hawaiian entertainment, shopping and beachfront dining.

A five-minute drive south is Lahaina, the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and bustling whaling port in the late 19th century. Still embracing its seafaring roots while adding contemporary restaurants, galleries and boutiques, the historic town buzzes with energy – especially at its harbor where slips are filled with sailing, snorkeling and fishing charters. Friday night is Art Night, with dozens of galleries inviting the public to chat with artists, view their works and listen to music.

Just north of the Kaanapali Beach area, snorkelers and scuba divers can immerse themselves amid colorful marine life in the sparkling bays of Napili, Kapalua and Honolua. In the winter, Kapalua's D.T. Fleming Beach draws in boogie boardersand surfers, while Honolua Bay becomes an expert surfer hotspot with its fast-breaking waves.